Hitching-post



(No Model.) I

W. P. BEACH.

H'ITCHING POST.- No. 271,769. Patented Feb.6,1883.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. \VILLIS P. BEACH, OF OVID, MICHIGAN.

H lTCHlNG-PoSTp SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 27l,769, dated February 6, 1883.

application filed November 7,1882. (No model.)

on the loaded hitching-straps. Fig. 2 is a dia-.

metrical section of the upper portion of the hitching-post, the strap, and the weight, illustrating the latter when the lug is caught .on

the lower part of the opening through the post,

through which the hitching-strap passes. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken in the plane indicated by the dotted line m m, Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a modification showing the anchor.

My invention relates to that class of hitching-posts for horses or other animals which have heretoforebeen made hollow, and which have been provided with a hitching-strap which is kept under tension by means ofa weight and pulley inclosed in the post.

My object is mainly to improve this device by attaching a lug or catch to the pulleystrap, which lug will engage itself with the eye through the post when the strap is drawn out nearly-to its fullest extent, and thus afford a flexible attachment for the animal when the strap is attached to the bridle; also, in a noiseless weight, which will exert a constant tension on the hitching-strap, and whichis provided with a cushion to deadcn the sound when the same strikes the sides of the hollow post, as will be fully understood from the following description, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings.

The letter A designates a hollow hitchingpost, which is secured to a. base, B, that may be formed as shown in Fig. 1; or it may be formed like the anchor 0, (shown in Fig. 4,) which anchor consists of a four-winged section adapted to be planted into the ground, and to hold firmly therein. This hollow post A is provided with a tightly-fitting cap, D, suitably secured to it.

Near the cap D a flexible strap, E, is secured to the inside of the post by means of a screw, a washer, and a nut. This flexible strap passes from its permanent attachment a down and under a pulley, b, and thence up and through a hole, a, made throughthe post diametrically opposite the point of attachment a, and on the outer end of the said flexible strap E a snap-hook, F, is secured. The pulley b is applied in the bifurcation of a weight, W, which is provided with a leather washer or cushion, c, to deadeu the sound. This washer'should be made annular, and it should extend so far beyond the body of the weight W that the leather only will strike the wall of the hollow post. The washer prevents noise in the post, and therefore prevents the metal weight W from frightening a. horse.

The flexible hitching-strap E is provided with a catch or lug, g, which is one of the es sential features of my invention. This lug or catch will engage itself with'the shoulder at i when the strap F is drawn out, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus allow freedom of play of the exposed portion of this strapwithout embarrassing the hitchedanimal with the weight W. This weightW will, under all ordinary circumstances, operate, like the hand of an attendant, to held the horse safely. At the same time the washer or cushion c prevents noise. It is obvious that the hollow post may be secured to the ground in any well-known manner, as this does not constitute any part of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a hitching-post, of a flexible strap, a weight and pulley therefor, and a lug or catch, g, applied to thesaid strap, adapted to hold a portion of the strap outside ofthe post, all constructed and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

2. The hollow fixed hitching-post, the cap secured thereon, the flexible strap secured at one end inside of this post, extending out of the post and provided with a snap-hook, the tension-weight, the cushion c on this weight, and the lug or catch 9 on said strap, all constructed and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two.

witnesses.

Witnesses: WILLIS P. BEACH.

WM. H. GASTEL, V. A. FrroH. 

